In this post, Adam used Meyer and Land’s definition of threshold concepts “…as ideas or ways of thinking that transform the internal view of a subject.” He noted three such threshold concepts for educational technology:

Higher education is no longer about access to information; rather, it is about access to experiences.

Use of educational technology in most higher education settings is standard practice rather than the exception.

Educational technology both follows and fuels effective pedagogy.

I would agree that these are indeed points that have become true. It is an easy leap to align them with Kevin Kelly’s 2015 book, The Inevitable, which noted twelve technological forces (or verbs) that are inevitable for the future:

Edtech has definitely become a standard practice globally. This is evident in our Twitter discussions at #EDU6323 and #EDU6333 where Masters students in Northeastern’s program share their realities and hopes concerning edtech. In this standard practice, one can see Kelly’s verbs of becoming, cognifying, screening, sharing and remixing. I like Adam’s note that:

“In essence, the saturation of technology use in higher education allows for more individualized approaches to educating all students.”

Adam’s final threshold places pedagogy before technology…and suggests that experimentation and play are worthy endeavors for education. I agree, and have certainly attempted to embed a certain degree of playfulness in all my courses. Cognifying, filtering, and questioning all have pedagogical applications.

I have also attempted to embed a certain degree of optimism in my teaching as well. I like Elsie’s image of “Threshold” at the top of this post…as it suggests moving from the darkness into the light. That is a threshold worth crossing!

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I am Britt Watwood, an online teacher recently retired from Northeastern's Center For Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Research. My passions are networked learning and using web technology for learning. I currently teach graduate courses at Northeastern University and Creighton University.
DISCLAIMER: I am a product of my personal learning network and my thoughts are impacted by the many people locally and virtually with whom I have contact. However, the views expressed here in this blog are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of the institutions for whom I teach.

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